- Born
- Died
- John Howard Davies was born on March 9, 1939 in Paddington, London, England, UK. He was a producer and director, known for Oliver Twist (1948), Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969) and Fawlty Towers (1975). He was married to Linda Patricia, Dale Mackenzie Tillotson and Leonie Taylor. He died on August 22, 2011 in Blewbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK.
- SpousesLinda Patricia(2005 - August 22, 2011) (his death)Dale Mackenzie Tillotson(May 31, 1975 - ?) (divorced, 2 children)Leonie Taylor(196? - 19??) (divorced)
- As a TV producer, presided over the birth of Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969); as a TV executive, presided over the 1989 demise of The Benny Hill Show (1969).
- Head of BBC Comedy (1977 - 1982).
- After childhood movie acting, most famously playing the title role in Oliver Twist (1948), he followed his writer father's lead and moved into television. But prior to that he served in the Royal Navy and held a variety of jobs, which included city clerk, carpet salesman, and lubricating oil salesman.
- Met first wife Leonie Taylor in Melbourne, Australia, when he returned to acting as an adult. They were both appearing in a production of "The Sound of Music" at the time.
- Cherubic, fair-haired, vulnerable-looking London-born child actor, briefly in post-war British films, and best remembered for his 1948 portrayal of Charles Dickens' beloved orphan Oliver Twist.
- My initial reaction to this remake was the same as quite a lot of people: why? I don't like remakes of programmes anyway. It's unimaginative. It's much better to start afresh with a blank sheet of paper. I think Martin Clunes is wonderful and he may save the day, but I'm pessimistic. I probably won't watch it. Comedy is like wine - it improves with age. And Leonard Rossiter was Reggie Perrin. He was the catalyst for the show's success. (On Reggie Perrin (2009))
- There are too many people involved in making the decisions at the BBC now. In the Seventies, one or two made the decisions, now it's all done by committees and focus groups. (Speaking in 2009)
- All the best sitcom characters are relentlessly horrible.
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